With no Premier League excitement planned for the weekend and it not being an international break it can only mean one thing – another dose of FA Cup themed fun and frolics.
This week’s episode will star two men who have taken the term “bitter old man” to a new level this past week, a cup specialist, and the country’s richest club in terms of global wealth.
Those old men we alluded to are of course Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson who have both needed a strong scotch or French red on more than one occasion this week.
Wenger takes his “we don’t need no shots” Arsenal side to Old Trafford which could see them eliminated from the third of the four competitions they’re involved in this season. To think we were talking up their chances at an unprecedented quadruple only weeks ago.
Both sides are smarting from losses although the two managers have enjoyed a cordial relationship over the last few years. You wouldn’t be surprised if they starting playing Bridge at the side of the pitch whilst the game goes on. Followed by a mug of celebratory Bovril for the winner.
As it’s the quarter-finals there are four games, with Birmingham hosting Bolton and West Ham travelling to Stoke but the more intriguing of the other three games takes place at the City of Manchester Stadium.
If City make sure they have the right grass available then we might see Italian striker Mario Balotelli get the chance to add to his tally of 10 goals in 17 appearances. In their way is a Championship side that aren’t scared to put one over on a Premier League outfit, in the shape of Reading, who showed their resilience by going to Everton and taking a deserved win in the last round.
Most neutral observers will be hoping for a City win and the two Manchester clubs facing each other in the semi finals. A small team putting one over on a behemoth of a club is always worth seeing and might well spell the end for boss Roberto Mancini.
